In this edition of the hotstove we share our thoughts on the most overused defender(s) in the Western Conference.
Todd Cordell
Erik Gudbranson.
At 5v5, the Canucks control 42.9% of the shot attempts, 38.33% of the scoring chances, and 36.36% of the goals with Gudbranson on the ice. He ranks last among eight eligible Canucks defensemen in each category. Despite objectively playing horrendous hockey, he is only 15 seconds shy of Ben Hutton for most 5v5 ice on a per game basis. To say he's undeserving of this kind of usage would be an understatement.
I doubt Vancouver will be able to seriously contend for a playoff spot, however, I think it's fair to say their chances of making it would improve if they stopped giving so much ice to a guy who negatively impacts the team.
Peter Tessier
If you follow any hockey out of Vancouver you’ll know Gudbranson is the whipping boy for many a Canucks fan. But don’t let the play of Tyler Myers go unnoticed. Up until about 3 weeks ago and the return of Kulikov I would have challenged anyone to find me a player more overused than Myers.
With various people on Jets social media doing a tongue-in-cheek #extendMyers campaign the lanky defenceman has been the target of many fans’ ire and for the first quarter of the season deservedly so but now not so much. No need to get into underlying numbers here so I give you two choices one for each side of the Rockies, Guddy or Myers and be thankful Edmonton was left unscathed.
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